Radio-frequency ablation therapy (RFA) as a treatment for metastatic liver tumors from colorectal carcinoma was examined.
Methods: Ten patients with a total of 30 liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma were treated using a Cool-tip RF system from March 2003 to December 2004.
Results: Patients had a mean age of 69.8 years and the mean diameter of the metastatic lesions was 29.5 mm (range, 5-82). Two patients had received RFA therapy 2 times, and another 2 patients had received 3 times. Critical complications were not seen, though 5 therapies were performed using CT-guided trans-pulmonary puncture. The rate of partial recurrence was 23.1% and the average observation period was 14.8 months. The partial recurrence had occurred within the mean period of 6.2 months. Although after multimodal therapy was given, it is suggested that repeated RFA for the liver metastasis would improve survival rates.
Conclusion: RFA is a safe and effective treatment for metastatic liver tumors from colorectal carcinoma as multimodal therapy.